Hawaii Five O
I have watched the 1st two episodes of the new Hawaii Five O series and am enjoying it so far.
I was a big fan of the original series. The new series is better written than what I was expecting. They have created interesting back stories on the 3 main characters, Steve McGarrett, Danny "Danno" Williams and Chin Ho Kelly. In addition, the Kono/Kona character is now a woman, a gorgeous and enticing rookie played by Grace Park who is smoking hot both in and out of her many bikinis.
One interesting change is in the character of Danno Williams. The original Danno Williams, played by James McArthur, was a straightlaced, by-the-book detective who maintained a calm and professional demeanor and manner of dress at all times, and he NEVER talked back to McGarrett, although he was verbally abused at times. The new Danno, as very interestingly played by Scott Caan (son of James Caan), is somewhat straightlaced and professional, but he also is something of a wiseass who spouts one liners and talks back at McGarrett any time there is a perceived slight or a departure from department protocol. McGarrett, as played in the new series by Alex O'Loughlin, is similar to the original McGarrett but is not as good an actor as Jack Lord and does not wear a suit and tie. There is no pretense of professionalism and his character is actually somewhat similar to Clint Eastwood's "Dirty Harry Callahan", with the difference being he is Governor appointed and therefore answers to nobody, and he knows it. Thus the interesting chemistry between McGarrett and Danno, who emerges as the only constraint whatsoever on McGarrett's unwielding power and utterly ruthless, unorthodox pursuit of criminals.
The series makes good use of modern technology and showing how police use video and electronic technology to solve crimes. I know they are not the only TV show that does this, but it is still very interesting. The show's creators are definitely trying to pitch technology as a tool of modern law enforcement.
My only criticism is I am not fond of the directorial style used in this series. In the original series, which was shot on location in Hawaii, there were many long scenes especially where the Hawaiian landscape was used to provide an interesting sheen and background and the camera would stay on one scene for 5 minutes. The new series is a lot of quick cuts and I sometimes get the feeling that the show is being shot for an audience of ADD and ADHD patients who do not have the attention span to watch anything for more than 30 seconds. Frankly it drives me a bit crazy at times.
The theme song is being used, which is not surprising since it's the best theme song in television history:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AepyGm9Me6w&NR=1
